Tuesday, May 30, 2017

This week's oldie but goodie takes less than 10 minutes to make, in fact I only had to speed up the video 1.5 times the normal speed.Once you have all your supplies ready that is ;-).I use a mask/stencil I made once from acetate with a square die. I ink blended three Distress inks, from one of my recipes: Dusty concord, Shaded lilac and tumbled glass.I used the mini ink blending tools.After ink blending I positioned the bird stamp and the sentiment over the card. I like that the branch sticks out, but you can also put the stencil/mask back if you prefer.I used Versafine onyx black ink for both, then heat set ti to be safe.I don't think it's the kind of card, for rhinestones or sequins, but you can always add them if you like.Also think about other shapes of stencil, like oval or round ,or if you have it a big leaf and or flower shape.

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is about to run out, but it's about little critters.The AAA card challenge is their 3rd birthday!For my card I chose to use Gerda Steiner set called go wild.And I used a Simon Says Stamp die called birthday circle.I started by die cutting the birthday circle from the card panel, which is slightly smaller than the card base (1cm) and I've also cut if from Crafter's Companion sturdy black glitter paper.Then I traced the circle onto Crafter's Companion Neenah paper and stamped the giraffe with Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink. The circle is a bit on the small side, but I like how the critters look like their photo bombing the occasion ;-).

I pulled out my Twin markers again for the alcohol coloring, just to show you again what a 35 cent alcohol marker can do ;-)I fiddles with lots of tiny strips of Scotch tape to keep the black circle in place, as there's no backing I couldn't stick it to anything.I could have cut another panel from printer paper and a smaller circle, but I really like the look of the colored panel continuing underneath.I stamped the sentiment, also from the go wild set, with Versafine onyx black ink.Adhered the colored panel with tape runner to the card base and then mounted the panel with foam tape and placed it on top.I've added mini googly eyes to all critters and used small homemade glue dots for that.I've colored all the giraffes the same, so some of the shading is in the wrong corner, but I don t care, I really wanted a homogenic look and so they all had to be the same.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Thursday, May 25, 2017

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: furry friends, showcasing Paper Smooches.I used the Paper Smooches dainty flowers die and the sentiment from Fun & flirty.For the furry bit I used Newton's Nook stamp Newton scoots by, I stamped him with Simon Says Stamp intense black and colored him with my Spectrum Noir markers. But first I let the Brother Scan N cut cut him out.I keep saying him, but it's supposed to be my girlie cat Tjalk on a pink scooter!

I then die cut a bunch of elements in different colors, white for the school scape from Sugar pea design, then also from black for the road, white again for the dots in the road, then from green for the fields and the road in the fields. Die cut the Memory box mini picket border from white and also the Paper Smooches dainty flowers from white, I die cut 3 flowers, but I only used one, that I think was too much as well lol.I used Memento summer sky on the card base for the sky, go figure

Then used tape runner and a glue pen to attach the white and green bits as well as the road onto the white panel. I hope you can still follow ;-) watch the video, it's easier lol.I stuck the picket fence on top of the green fields, Had to elongate the fence a little, also flush mounted the flower and used foam tape for Newton.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Sunday, May 21, 2017

The AAA cards challenge, this fortnight, but only one week left, is about embossing.I used dry embossing, meaning pressing something into the cardbase by using and embossing folder, or as I did a set of nesting dies.The dies are from Marianne design (basic shape dies cr1351) and I stuck them together first, so the individual dies wouldn't move on me in the machine, then I taped it in place on the card and passed it through my bigshot. I use a piece of silicone bakingmat as my embossing mat, I have a video on that included.I then stamped the sentiment from a Wibra stampset with Versafine black onyx ink. Wibra is a chain of stores in the Netherlands and some of the Benelux I think, not sure, but they have a little crafts section, where once in a while I find a few gems.The little girls dress is also I diecut, I bought it off a Facebook sales group and all I could find is the brand: Choose joy, but there are many similare products across the industry of the supplies I used.The patterned paper is from Crafter's Companion little angel collection.I used a bit of foamtape to pop the dress up.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

The less is More challenge, this week is : geometric.For my card and the geometric bit I used a TimHoltz/ Sizzix die (660220) and I diecut it from Crafter's Companion Neenah paper.The I stamped the image and sentiment from Sugar Pea designs ( SPD00203) with Simon Says Stamp Intense black and colored the image with Spectrum Illustrator markers.I traced the opening from the die cut on the cardbase and inkblended Distress inks behind the opening (mermaid lagoon and tumbled glass).I thought the chicken wire would look like the pig's enclosure and the blue like the sky, maybe a bit of green for grass would have been cool, but trying to keep it tranquil and calm.Mounted the panel with foamtape and adhered it onto the cardbase.For more information on the Less is More challenge, see this

Thursday, May 18, 2017

A bit of sparkle, showcasing Simon Says Stamp products is the Wednesday Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp.For my card I used the Simon Says Stamp die, You are my favorite an I die cut it from 140lbs cardstock.I tried the glitter bit first with Wow Embossing powders, but I wasn't wowed and ruined my new Versamark inkpad...full of glitter now...sigh.Then I tried Elizabeth crafts double sided sticky tape with glitter, also meh...I got bald spots...then I tried the Distress inks Peacock

feathers and Distress glitter dust vintage platinum and the platinum came out the best.At this point I was wondering why I didn't just use glitterpaper as glitter is everywhere!. Then remembered I wanted something of an ombre effect, but that was not acchievable today ;-)I rubbed the glitter dust into the sticky tape as best as possible and then past it through the die cutting machine as well.A small piece of printer paper with more double sided tape behind the white panel was the perfect solution to place all the bits back.Mounted the panel with foamtape and mounted it to my cardbase.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

For this week's card I inkblended Memento inks (love letter, lady bug and rhubarb stalk onto the carbase. I then spritzed it with Shimmer spritz sparkle spray.

I diecut the Impression Obsession die Christmas circle cutouts (Die482-x) from sturdy 140lbs cardstock, which I cut slightly smaller to make a frame.I used Post-it tape to mask the edges.I should have used Stick it on the back of this panel, but I thought it was wasteful, so instead I fiddle with glue to adhere a piece of acetate. It's not for a shaker, but for support of the fine details in the windows.Mounted the panel with foam tape and adhered it to the background.You can make this card quicker if you use red cardstock instead of inkblending, or red glitter paper and if you use Stick-it ;-)

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Spots and Stripes is the challenge over at Less is More.It took me a while to come up with this card, although the image is perfect I didn't think to use it.I used the zebra from Les Jungles from Katzelkraft stamps and the sentiment from Paper Smooches' fun and flirty.I have another sentiment from Art Impressions that would have works great too: "weird? please I'm a limited edition", but it was a tad too big I felt., maybe if I had stamped it on the bottom, oh well will go try later ;-).I used Simon Says Stamp Intense black onto the Crafter's companion Neenah paper and colored the image with my Spectrum Noirs and Illustrator markers.I applied Nuvo glitter gloss shimmer pen over the jacket as an embellishment.For more information on the Less is More Challenge, see this

Monday, May 15, 2017

My card today is made with Art Impressions stamp little stinker, sold out at the mo, but I just got it as Simon Says Stamp, it's from 2013 according to the package.I stamped him with Simon Says Stamp Intense black onto Schut watercolor paper.Masked him with liquid masking fluid with the use of a silicon nail art brush...see video why, ...epiphany moment there ;-)The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: home sweet home, and I don't know if this is a big stretch, but I thought babies/ families make a home and I don't really have home stamps.After the masking fluid was dry I brushed on Distress inks for a light covering of the back, using a Post it not to mask the floor.I mounted the panel with foam tape and used blue starry washi tape on the cardbase as my panels are always slightly narrower.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Sunday, May 14, 2017

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: going dotty, showcasing Stamping Bella products.For my card I used the Stamping Bella chatty squidgy on Crafter's Companion Neenah paper with SSS intense black ink and then colored the image with my Spectrum Illustrator markers.I gave the girl a dotted dress and oversized glasses. I made those with a Paper Smooches die (glasses) and cut it out pink mirrored card with Stick it on the back.For the coloring I took inspiration from the patterned paper that I used. it was in a SSS cardstock but I don;t know which one.I diecut the stamped image with a stitched detail and mounted the panel with foamtape on the card.I think the oversized glasses are so funny, like she stole them from her mother, like all girls do ;-)

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

For this Thursday's video and card, I'm starting with the Everyday Christmas, well every week Christmas lol.I did a Christmas card last week as part of the Oldie but goodie series.For this card I use the Create a smile cardkit, that came out November or December last year. They do not restock once sold out, but similar dies are available across the industry, think tree line instead of snowmen and round frame instead of ornament for example.I started but diecutting the die from white cardstock. and used a circle die to cut out the backing and the acetate sheet as well.Before cutting the backing I used my Memento dew drops and inkblending foams to apply, summer sky, Paris dusk and grape jelly in to the cardstock.As when stamping with dye inks the ink goes on sort of splotchy but evens out miraculously when seeping into the paper, like when you stamp with them, especially bold and solid stamps.I spritzed the night sky with sparkly Shimmer spritz.Memento ink also reacts with water, a bit like Distress inks, see the video for some examples on that.In the kit there was also a packet of Pretty Pink Posh sequins, no name on the package, but it has silver, blues and purples in the mix in various sizes, I'm sure you have similar ones in your stash. I usually mix my own, but this was right there! lolTo build my shaker I cut two layers of foamtape in really thin strips and by taking both backings off you can manipulate it perfectly into a round shape.I positioned the diecut onto the night sky and adhered it with liquid glue.closed the shaker by adhering the backing and then used red sticky tape to adhere the shaker pocket to a cardbase.I stamped the sentiment with the same Paris Dusk ink, It is and oldie but goodie from Avery Elle (let is snow set).

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge is: it's a frame up. Now I think they meant us to use frames, but my rat was mischievous and he framed the dog!...you can see him tiptoeing away from the scene..lol I had so much fun coloring these, and as I posted my older ones (also included) I had many requests to do a coloring video and also had lovely compliments.I made the sentiments in Photoshop, but Word would also work, I didn't even think about that. I can fit 4 on one big sheet of Crafter's Companion Neenah paper and passed it through the printer, just an inkjet printer.I then cut up the paper, and as I'm never 100% sure where my printer prints, I may have to do some trimming to center the sentiment again. It's instantly matted that way, also a kind of frame ;-).

I then stamped the Katzelkraft images with Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink and colored them with my Spectrum Noir markers. I used all the same colors on all cards, I like the yg (yellow green) with the bg (brown grey) and the cr (coral), as well as the ct and gy (citrus and golden yellow?)After coloring I used tape runner to attach the panels to a cardbase.These stamps are really new and I ordered them from France, but so did my Dutch kraftstore I guess, cos they came in at the same time, I know SSS carries Katzelkraft and I do so hope they will stock this one, it's hilarious!.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Saturday, May 6, 2017

So what better than a rat with cheese? I did allow for rosey cheeks and tail, I hope that's ok.I used a new Katzelkraft stampset called Les rats des villes. I chose the grumpy one as I thought that was funny with the sentiment...I stamped him on Crafter's Companion Neenah paper with Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink and I colored him with my Spectrum Noir markers.I did the sentiment in Photoshop, I started with those and then cut up the sheet and then stamped.I free handed the block of cheese.I then mounted the panel onto the cardbase with tape runner.For more information on the Less is More challenge, see this.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: a hint of pink, showcasing Hero Arts.I pulled out all my hero arts things and found lots of Christmas sets and a deer layering, a koi layering and a goldfish layering set, not typically pink ;-)....So I opted to Used the Simon Says Stamp tric circle die to make portholes.I had left over fishes from my previous card/video and so I colored those. The new vintage set from Spectrum Noir had these gorgeous "dirty" old colors (vintage) and the pv range was just a perfect vintage pink for my octopus.The one fish started with BP (bright pinks) but it was too bright, so I toned her down with PP (pastel pinks). The other fish I chose to to yellow and orange.The background is inkblended Distress inks (mermaid lagoon and salty ocean) with sprinkles of water droplets.The portholes I've built up with a circle die that was almost the same size as the tri circle, I stacked two white rings and one gold metallic card on top of each other, to create dimension and the feel of real portholes.I mounted the panel with foamtape and then placed the fishes inside the windows. If you really want the feel of windows add a layer of acetate. I didn't as I wanted my ocotpus in and out, like he's trying to come onto the ship! Now if you left that porhole open, the ship has probably sunk ;-) but hey...details details lol...The sentiment is from Lawn Fawn (mermaid for you) and I stamped it with Versafine black onyx ink.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

Monday, May 1, 2017

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: the great outdoors, showcasing Paper artsy products.I don;t have any, Love their whimsical flower stamps, but I love so many things crafty...can't buy everything....if only lol...I'm also entering in into the AAA cards challenge: Bright and Beautiful.For my card I depicted a farm scene, that's outside, rural, I envisage a big ranch somewhere, Kansas by the look of the barn...I used the Sugar Pea design farm scape to cut out the farm scene, mounted it with foam tape. Behind it on the cardbase I inkblended Distress ink broken china.For the pigs I stamped the My favorite things from Sew much cuteness as well as the butterfly, In Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink onto the Crafter's companion neenah paper.Colored them with my Spectrum Noir markers and also mounted them with foam tape.I wasn't sure which sentiment to use, so I left one out until the right occasion presents itself.

I considered ink blending the white fields with mowed lawn Distress ink, but I thought the piggies would blend into the background and as you know, I like my cards CAS.For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.For more information on the AAA card challenge, see this.